Study On Ascitic Fluid Complement3 Level In Cirrhotic Patients With Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis And Without Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

Background: Ascitic fluid Complement 3 is important factor to offer local defence against infection of ascitic fluid. Hepatic synthesis of Complement3 and it's concentration in ascitic fluid is reduced in patients with advanced cirrhosis. The study aimed to assess Complement3 in ascitic fluid in patients with Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis and without Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis and identify cirrhotics at risk of developing Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis. Methods: A prospective case-control study done to compare the ascitic fluid Complement3 level in patients with Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (case-group) and without Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (control-group). Ascitic fluid Complement3 was estimated in 15 patients with Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (case) and another 15 patients without Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (control). Results: Ascitic fluid Complement3 level was 7.3± 4.3 mg/dl in patients with Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis and 16.4 ± 11.3 mg/dl in patients without developing Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis. Conclusion: Ascitic fluid Complement3 is significantly (P=0.009) reduced in cirrhotics who develop Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis.